Our Psychology Programme

Building Tomorrow’s Psychological Scientists

Dr. Gordon Wright

Welcome to Psychology at Goldsmiths

Where Science Meets Society

Preparing you to make a difference

Before We Begin…

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Vision Exercise #1: You in 3 Years

  • It’s graduation day, 2028
  • You’re walking across the stage with your Psychology degree
  • What skills do you have that you didn’t have today?
  • What questions can you answer now that puzzled you before?
  • How do you think differently about human behavior?
  • What impact are you ready to make in the world?

Hold onto these thoughts…

Vision Exercise #2: The Hiring Manager

Now… You’re Ancient (Like Me!)

It’s 2050. You’re running an organization.

  • Candidate A: Brilliant grades, memorized textbooks, follows instructions perfectly
  • Candidate B: Strong grades AND thinks critically, solves novel problems, works with diverse teams, asks right questions, challenges assumptions respectfully

Who do you hire?

What would make YOU the Candidate B of 2028?

This is What We help YOU Build!

Our Psychology Programme: The Big Picture

BPS Accredited - Your First Step to Professional Psychology

Research-Led - Faculty are Active Researchers, Not Just Teachers

Applied Focus - Real Problems, Real Solutions, Real Impact

Small Cohorts - You’re Not Just a Number

London Advantage - The World’s Psychology Hub

The Three Pillars

Three Themes - continued

Mental Health & Wellbeing

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Positive Psychology
  • Neurodiversity
  • Personal Development
  • Evidence-Based Interventions

Cognition & Culture

  • How We Think
  • Cultural Psychology
  • Perception & Attention
  • Art & Creativity
  • Cross-Cultural Research

Life & Society

  • Social Psychology
  • Developmental Science
  • Relationships
  • Political Psychology
  • Social Justice

A-Level vs University: The Great Divide

A-Level Psychology

  • Memorize theories and studies
  • Accept what textbooks say
  • Learn the “right” answers
  • Individual work focus
  • Describe phenomena
  • Simple cause-effect thinking
  • UK-centric examples
  • Teacher-directed learning

University Psychology

  • Critically evaluate evidence
  • Question everything (respectfully!)
  • Construct your own understanding
  • Collaborate on complex problems
  • Explain WHY things happen
  • Systems thinking approach
  • Global perspectives
  • Self-directed exploration

Example: Depression

A-Level Approach

Depression is caused by low serotonin.

Studies show CBT is effective.

Beck’s cognitive triad explains negative thinking.

End of story, P.E. Next!.

University Approach

What complex factors interact to create depression risk?

How do cultural contexts shape expression?

Which interventions work for whom and why?

What are the limitations of current research?

Opening the door!

Year 1: Building Your Foundation

Our Themes

Research Methods & Statistics

  • Learning R programming
  • Designing experiments
  • Critical evaluation skills
  • Data visualization
  • Reproducible research

Assessment: Lab-book + Reports + Exam

Mental Health & Wellbeing

  • Personal wellbeing planning
  • Behavioral experiments
  • Evidence-based interventions
  • Theory meets practice

Assessment: Wellbeing plan + Behavioral experiment report

Themes continued

Cognition & Culture

  • Group poster projects
  • Public communication
  • Individual differences
  • Cross-cultural perspectives

Assessment: Group poster + Individual presentation

Life & Society

  • Policy brief writing
  • First 1001 days research
  • Social development
  • Applied implications

Assessment: Exam + Policy brief

College-wide Module

Connected Curriculum: Identity, Agency & Environment

  • Critical thinking skills
  • Interdisciplinary perspectives
  • Creative assessment options
  • Contemporary issues

Choose your format: Essay, podcast, video, poster…

Applications of Psychological Research

  • Participate in real research
  • Communicate to public
  • Ethics and responsibility
  • Research impact

Assessment: Research participation + Public communication

Personal & Professional Development

Every Week, Every Year

  • Personal Tutor - Your academic mentor
  • Career exploration - Where psychology can take you
  • Skill development - Leadership, teamwork, communication
  • Reflection practice - Understanding your learning journey
  • Industry connections - Guest speakers, placements, networking
  • Research opportunities - Join faculty research teams

Not an add-on - it’s integral to your degree

Term 3: Integration, Application, Celebration

Term 3 information here.

Year 2: Deepening Your Expertise

Same Structure, Greater Depth

Mental Health & Wellbeing v2

  • Advanced therapeutic approaches
  • Complex case studies
  • Intervention design
  • Cultural considerations in mental health

Cognition & Culture v2

  • Advanced cognitive theories
  • Cross-cultural research methods
  • Individual differences in depth
  • Applied cognitive psychology

Life & Society v2

  • Complex social phenomena
  • Advanced developmental theories
  • Social psychology applications
  • Policy implications

Your Chosen Research Topic

  • Design and conduct your own group research project
  • Choose a topic that interests YOU within the themes
  • Real data collection and analysis
  • Present findings at student conference

Same Structure, University-Level Depth

Year 3: Expertise & Independence

Dissertation: Your Masterpiece

  • 400+ hours of independent research
  • Supervision from expert faculty
  • Contribute new knowledge to the field
  • Preparation for postgraduate study

Optional Modules (Choose from 15+ options)

  • Addictive Behaviours
  • Neuropsychology
  • Psychology of the Arts
  • Behavioural Genetics
  • Psychology and Law
  • Advanced Coding
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders

The Goldsmiths Difference

Research-Active Faculty

Every lecturer is conducting cutting-edge research

State-of-the-Art Facilities

  • EEG/TMS Laboratory
  • Eye-Tracking Lab
  • Infant Development Lab
  • Forensic Psychology Suite
  • Virtual Reality Lab

London Laboratory

The city as your research site - diversity, culture, opportunity

Social Justice Focus

Psychology for positive social change

Creative Community

Where science meets art, music, and social action

Our Research Groups

Join Our Research Community

Cognition & Neuroscience

  • Brain imaging studies
  • Cognitive enhancement
  • Attention and perception
  • Consciousness research

Developmental & Educational Science

  • Child development
  • Learning sciences
  • Educational neuroscience
  • Family systems

Forensic & Clinical Science

  • Criminal behavior analysis
  • Therapeutic interventions
  • Risk assessment
  • Mental health research

Social Processes & Personality

  • Intergroup relations
  • Political psychology
  • Cultural psychology
  • Individual differences

Student Research Showcase

Recent Student Projects:

  • “Experiences of students with ASD in mainstream school”
  • “The relationship between procrastination and wellbeing”
  • “The role of music in advertising effectiveness”
  • “Perceptions of doping in competitive sport”
  • “How line-ups affect eye-witness testimony”
  • “Perceptions of stalking: when do behaviours cross the line?”

Your research could be next!

Why Choose Goldsmiths?

The Numbers Tell a Story

THE World University Rankings 2024

Top 150 Psychology departments worldwide

Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021

82% of our research rated world-leading or internationally excellent

Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) 2021

#1 in UK for social mobility

Graduate Outcomes

95% of our graduates in employment or further study within 15 months

Why Choose Goldsmiths?

You’ll Be Known

Small cohorts mean individual attention, not lecture hall anonymity

You’ll Be Challenged

We push you to think deeper, question more, create solutions

You’ll Be Supported

Comprehensive pastoral care and academic mentoring

You’ll Be Connected

Alumni network spanning clinical practice, research, business, and public service

You’ll Be Ready

Skills that employers actually want: critical thinking, research literacy, communication, collaboration

Career Pathways

Where Our Graduates Go

Clinical Psychology

  • NHS Clinical Psychologist
  • Private Practice
  • Research Clinician
  • Neuropsychologist

Research & Academia

  • PhD Research
  • University Lecturer
  • Think Tank Researcher
  • Policy Advisor

Forensic Psychology

  • Prison Psychology Services
  • Police Advisory Roles
  • Court Assessment
  • Victim Support Services

Business & Consulting

  • Human Resources
  • Market Research
  • User Experience Design
  • Organizational Development

Education & Training

  • Educational Psychology
  • Training and Development
  • School Counseling
  • Special Educational Needs

Public Service

  • Civil Service
  • Local Government
  • Charity Sector
  • Healthcare Management

Are you Goldsmiths?

What We Look For

  • Genuine interest in psychological science
  • Critical thinking abilities
  • Communication skills
  • Commitment to evidence-based practice
  • Enthusiasm for research and application

Making Your Application Stand Out

Personal Statement Tips

  • Show genuine engagement with psychology beyond A-level
  • Demonstrate critical thinking - don’t just describe studies
  • Include relevant experience - volunteering, work, personal projects
  • Express clear motivation for studying psychology
  • Show awareness of psychology as a science

Preparation for Goldsmiths

  • Bring yourself and your loftiest ambitions

Let’s Get Practical

Student Support & Wellbeing

Academic Support

  • Personal tutors throughout your degree
  • Study skills workshops
  • Writing support center
  • Peer mentoring scheme
  • Research methods drop-in sessions

Wellbeing Support

  • Counseling and mental health services
  • Disability and inclusion support
  • Financial advice and hardship funds
  • Student health center
  • 24/7 support helpline

Career Support

  • Careers guidance and planning
  • Internship and placement support
  • Graduate school application assistance
  • CV and interview preparation
  • Alumni mentoring network

Life at Goldsmiths

Campus Life

  • New Cross location - Zone 2, 10 minutes to central London
  • Cutting edge facilities for psychology research
  • 24/7 library access during term time
  • Student union with 60+ societies
  • Psychology Society - your academic and social home

The London Advantage

  • World-class Psychology Hub
  • Internship opportunities across all sectors
  • Cultural diversity enriching your studies
  • Networking events with industry professionals
  • Graduate employment opportunities

Student Experience

  • Small class sizes - get to know your classmates and lecturers
  • Research participation - contribute to cutting-edge studies
  • Student Conference & Journal - showcase your work
  • Fieldwork opportunities - real-world data collection

Financial Support

  • Bursaries and scholarships available
  • Part-time work opportunities on campus
  • Financial advice service
  • Hardship funds for unexpected difficulties

Back to Our Vision

Remember Your Future Self?

The Skills You’ll Develop:

  • Critical Analysis - Question everything, evaluate evidence rigorously
  • Research Literacy - Design studies, analyze data, interpret findings
  • Communication - Write clearly, present confidently, teach others
  • Collaboration - Work effectively in diverse teams
  • Ethical Reasoning - Navigate complex moral landscapes
  • Cultural Competence - Understand psychology across cultures
  • Problem-Solving - Apply psychological knowledge to real challenges
  • Self-Reflection - Understand your own biases and limitations

You’ll Be the Candidate B Every Employer Wants

Your Psychology Journey Starts Here

Three years from now…

  • You’ll think like a scientist
  • You’ll question like a scholar
  • You’ll communicate like a professional
  • You’ll solve problems like an innovator
  • You’ll understand people like never before
  • You’ll be ready to make a difference

The question is: Are you ready to begin?

Questions & Discussion

What questions do you have about your psychology future?

Thank You

Psychology at Goldsmiths

Where your future begins

Contact Information & Mailing list

  • Email: g.wright@gold.ac.uk
  • Website: gold.ac.uk/psychology

Ready to join us? Let’s make it happen.